Despite this vast exposure to an incredibly wide spectrum of musical and cultural landscapes, he had yet to put out an album representing his true "live" set with Kenny, Cedric, and himself. Over the years, longtime fans of R.L. Burnside have begged, whined, and demanded a "live" album from the folks at Fat Possum to no avail. That is, until now. At long last Fat Possum have complied with the increasingly vociferous demands of the fans and has produced the best Burnside album since "Too Bad Jim." For the first time on record we have the powerful energy and hypnotic presence of R.L., Cedric Burnside, (R.L.'s grandson) and Kenny Brown (his 'adopted' son) in front of a live audience playing the stripped down North Mississippi Hill Country blues.

A neighbor of the late great Fred McDowell, and other lesser-known blues masters such as Ranie Burnette, and Johnny Woods, R.L. learned his craft from the best. (His first cousin was married to Muddy Waters.) The steady trance inducing rhythms punctuated by slashing slide and dynamic phrasing are hallmarks of the Hill Country blues and R.L. Burnside is the reigning master of his domain. The high-voltage drone produced by the threesome in their live shows is a masterpiece of sculptured sonic tension unleashed from the depths of a rugged anti-ethereal presence, fueled by pure horsepower and grit. The self taught, loose, creative drumming of the hip-hop loving Cedric Burnside is the perfect canvas for Kenny and R.L. to lay down their two handed fingerdrum technique of guitar-wizardry. Raised from the dust of the North Mississippi Hill Country, the thumb of the right hand carries the bass along with the steady rhythmic pulse of the bottom end. Their fingers and slides bounce, slice, and cry from the high end, lacerating the constant groove with a piercing sting providing such a full orchestration that no bass is needed. Culminating this mesmerizing emulsion is the distinct, powerful voice and impeccable phraseology of R.L.Burnside.

Give or take a few songs, the set-list on this "live" CD comprise an abbreviated representation of what you'll hear if you go to one of their concerts. Eleven songs are presented including the standards, "Shake 'Em On Down," "Skinny Woman," (without the usual R.L./Cedric introduction) and "Miss Maybelle." (Closer to the way they performed it on Conan O'Brien's show - without the duck squawks found on "Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down.")

The traditional, "Rollin' & Tumblin," finds it's groove on the set-list as well as "Long Haired Doney." To establish how tight the group is, listen to one of several ways they've begun this song when playing live. ("LHD") On this night, R.L. doesn't say anything verbal but plays the first figure or opening line through one time as he fiddles around between songs. This is the queue to the band as to which song they're going to play next. The second time he plays the figure, the band explodes into the song that was just introduced without a word. In other live shows, he's started the same song by simply jumping in to the "boogie" part of the song. When this is the case, Cedric and Kenny just start up on the boogie pattern. When he has introduced the song verbally, he plays the first line and the band immediately launches into the groove right away at the end of the first figure. (BTW, Doney is another name for a girlfriend.) An apt demonstration of how they can be consistently good, yet, different depending on the night.

R.L.'s "scramblin" version of the signature, "Walkin' Blues," is also included, which like "Bad Luck & Trouble," he performs solo. The band rejoins him for "Jumper on the Line," Goin' Down South," Alice Mae, and Kenny's slide guitar vehicle, "Snake Drive." R.L. also slips in one of his classic story/jokes with "He Ain't Your Daddy" during his short solo set. Even if you've heard this tale of mischievous frolicking many times, you can 't help but chuckle at the punch line.

"Burnside on Burnside," is the CD we've long been waiting for from R.L., his band, and the crew at Fat Possum. Thankfully, they have delivered. Characteristic of their consistent live shows, the set list is good, the music is great, and the sound quality is excellent. You can hear the crowd in the background between songs but they are way back in the mix and never overbearing. The music stands out loud and clear and the musician's different arrangements are distinct and easy to separate. Kenny and Cedric follow R.L.'s lead and the experience they have in playing with him over the years is indisputable. Kenny steps out on occasion to really let loose on his slide guitar but otherwise compliments R.L.'s guitar playing with educated subtlety, accentuating R.L's unique guitar phrasing with sparse punctuation and filler when not carrying the load. "Burnside on Burnside" exemplifies the embodiment of R.L. Burnside and his band, the way they ought to be heard, "live."

Fat Possum Records LLC, Manufactured and distributed by Epitaph Fat Possum Records, P.O. Box 1923, Oxford, MS. 38655 www.fatpossum.com Retail Sales: 213.413.7353 Ron Coleman roco@epitaph.com & Catherine Corsaro catherine@epitaph.com Publicity: Sheryl Northrop 818.986.5200 sheryl@bakernorthrop.com Marketing: Mark Mauer 213.413.7353 mark@fatpossum.com

This review is copyright © 2001 by Stephen T. Davidson, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.